Andhra Pradesh: Efforts On to Convert Non-Aqua Zone Ponds to Aqua Zone List

Kakinada: Efforts are under way to convert aqua ponds from non-aqua zone to aqua zone. The government would hold Grama

Sabhas at village level to get a formal nod, as this will enable aqua farmers to avail power subsidy and other incentives.

Reports from the Grama Sabhas are to be sent to the district collectors before February 15 and these would be forwarded to the state government.

According to sources, ponds are spread over 2,15,000 acres under aqua zone in Kakinada, Eluru, BR Ambedkar Konaseema and the East and West Godavari districts. More than 26,000 aqua ponds under non-aqua zones are proposed to be converted into aqua zone ponds.

However, the villagers can’t decide on whether one or another aqua pond should or should not be shut down. In West Godavari and BR Ambedkar Konaseema districts, people of

many villages are agitating against aqua ponds, but the government is not in a position to heed their voice. For, the aqua sector is one of the highest earners of foreign exchange.

The government is providing subsidies on power tariff to aqua ponds that are under aqua zone at the rate of `1.50 per unit. But the non-aqua zone farmers are not getting this. If these ponds are converted into aqua zone, they will also be entitled to these subsidies.

According to officials, if the villagers express themselves against cultivating aqua ponds in non-aqua zones, the government will not heed their plea.

“These Grama Sabhas are being held to ascertain whether the villagers are ready to convert aqua ponds from non-aqua zone to aqua zone. The remaining issues will not be considered,’’ said a fisheries department official.

According to officials, aquaculture is prevalent in 2.15 lakhs acres including 25,000 acres in Konaseema, 5,000 acres in East Godavari, 22,500 acres in Kakinada, 1.12 lakhs acres in West Godavari and 1.50 lakh acres in Eluru district under the aqua zone. More than 26,000 acres are being cultivated under a non-aqua zone.

Konaseema collector Mahesh Kumar has asked officials at a meeting in Amalapuram to gather information on aqua ponds by conducting a detailed survey based on the geo-coordinate maps, and identify brackish water, freshwater and other sources of aquaculture.

“As per the guidelines of the coastal region zone, coastal management, green tribunal, ground water department, the pollution control board and the Coastal Aqua Authority, aqua ponds can be permitted,” he said.

He said, “ Although the survey was conducted twice in the past, the government’s instruction is to conduct it again with a team of officials consisting of fisheries, revenue, water resources, agriculture and PCB personnel. The survey should be completed within a week.” The details should be compiled and submitted to the state-

The collector cautioned the officials that before taking the employees into the survey, it should be ensured that this would not affect the Antarvedi sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy celestial marriage celebrations in February.